Oscar 2012 Predictions? Upsets? Hopes? Let's Talk...

Step right up folks... place ya bets... anyone bold enough to make their Oscar predictions before this Sunday's broadcast?

We obviously know what the short list of nominees in every category looks like, as well as what names and titles have been cleaning up in past awards ceremonies that really matter.

So, probably not a tough call to make in the major categories - Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

This may be one of the most predictable Oscars ever! I'm hoping that there's a major upset or surprise or two; something that few of us actually saw coming. I have no idea what that would be, but I wouldn't complain if say the incredibly over-rated silent film The Artist didn't win a single award.

Now THAT would be shocking! But it'll put a smile on my face too.

What else might decrease the predictability of the event?

The Best actor race seems like it's likely down to George Clooney (The Descendants, which I actually haven't seen; it just doesn't rope me in) and Jean Dujardin (The Artist); how about shocking the world and giving it to Gary Oldman, who, as I learned, is being nominated for his VERY FIRST Academy Award! Can you believe that? Gary Oldman, one of the premiere thespians of our time, has done countless films, and has never been nominated for an Oscar, ever? Maybe he just hasn't done anything that's gotten as much Academy awareness and praise as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Best Actress will likely go to either Viola Davis or Meryl Streep. I was really surprised to see Rooney Mara nominated for her performance in Girl With The Dragon Tattoo; not that she didn't do a good job with the role, but I felt like the Academy was reaching a bit there; and if they were reaching, I would have been far more impressed if they went with someone like Adepero Oduye for her work in Pariah. Obviously I'm biased :) But her performance WAS strong in that film.

Best Supporting Actor is likely Christopher Plummer's to lose for Beginners, which I haven't yet seen either.

Best Supporting Actress is also likely Octavia Spencer's to lose. A shocking upset would be selecting Melissa McCarthy (from the surprisingly funny and entertaining Bridesmaids; yeah, I didn't think I'd like it, but I actually did).

Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist is your probable Best Director winner. I say eff it, and give it to Woody Allen instead for Midnight in Paris... just because. He last won it in 1977 for Annie Hall. Mignight In Paris is no Annie Hall, but I'll take anything over The Artist, and I have a soft-spot for Woody (despite that thing that he did back when), so why not :)

Best Original Screenplay... yup, The Artist again; but the Academy could shock the world and give it to Margin Call instead, which I actually liked, but didn't love. Or, a much stronger film than any of those 2 is A Separation, which really should get the trophy in that category.

And lastly, Best Adapted Screenplay; This might be the one award that Moneyball wins the entire evening; and I'd actually be ok with that, thanks to Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian.

Yes, there are other categories, but I'm going to stop with just these 8 categories... feel free to mention others in your comments if you wish.

The Academy Awards ceremony airs on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Soooo... all that said, who are your Oscar winners for this year? Or instead, who would you LIKE to see win, rather than who you think WILL win? Or just general comments about the nominees... whatever makes you happy.